Predoctoral Periodontics Program

Lecture Course

The didactic courses introduce students to:

• periodontal anatomy
• periodontal examination
• periodontal pathology
• periodontal diagnosis
• evidence-based periodontal treatment
• periodontal surgery

Clinical Experiences

• Students gain clinical experiences by working with periodontal faculty, postdoctoral and dental hygienists.
• Students are exposed to an interdisciplinary approach to dental treatment when they see patients in the comprehensive care clinic and in the graduate (postdoctoral) periodontal clinic

Clinical Requirements

• The philosophy for clinical requirements is to place an emphasis on periodontal evaluation, diagnosis and re-evaluation because general dentists frequently must make crucial decisions on referring patients to periodontal specialists (periodontists)
• Dental students are also required to assist during periodontal surgery, which provides first-hand experiences in the specialty of periodontics.

Competency Examinations

• Near the end of their third year, students must complete a manikin-based competency exam on periodontal measurements and instrumentation.
• During students' fourth year, there is a patient-based competency exam on periodontal examination, a mock regional clinical board exam and a comprehensive written exam, which prepare them for the periodontal portions of clinical and National Board Exams. Students are also given board review sessions.

Periodontal Rotation

• In their fourth year, students also attend a periodontal rotation with an emphasis on periodontal topics relevant to practicing general dentists. Students also attend a postdoctoral student case presentation.

Periodontal Surgery Elective

• A periodontal surgery elective for interested fourth-year dental students is offered on a competitive basis. The course includes:
  • seminars on periodontal surgical procedures
  • a laboratory exercise allows
• Participating students may perform certain surgical procedures on patients.